By Becky Sutton

When I was in the jungles of Costa Rica for my first yoga teacher training, one of my favorite parts of the experience was lying on my back after a physical practice, absorbing the warm air and the nature sounds, while the mesmerizing voice of my teacher lulled me into a state of deep relaxation. Sometimes I fell asleep. Other times I found myself in a profound state that wasn’t quite asleep but also wasn’t awake. I came out of these experiences with an overwhelming feeling of relaxation, of deep surrender, and a sense of coming home to myself. It was a release from my conscious thinking mind- my “hornet’s nest”- as I lovingly say. It gave my busy mind the break that it truly desires. This is the goal of Yoga Nidra... to experience the place that exists within you when the mind is not active. To access the deep layers of the subconscious mind, which is where true transformation takes place. I was hooked. I wanted more and I wanted to share it with others.

Yoga Nidra has been shown to reduce anxiety, promote healthy sleep, improve body system functions, increase your sense of well-being and universal connection, and so much more. But just like with all of our yoga and meditation practices, this is a practice. Sometimes, regardless of the effort, the brain just won’t turn off. Sometimes the body simply can’t relax. It’s all part of the journey. Your first experience of Yoga Nidra (or the 10th or the 100th) may not be the magical experience you were hoping for. But with continued practice, you may just find it a little bit easier to quiet the mind, to still the body, and to experience the joy of coming home to yourself.

Join Becky for Yoga Nidra on the 3rd Sunday of each month, from 7:00-8:00pm.